Various Artists - Naked in the Woods 2 (Album)
It might seem like a little bit of a pipe dream, but FReeZACentral is anything but; creating opportunities annually for, amongst other things, 50 young Victorians to team up with their dream mentors across various streams – one of which is performance. Just like a kid trying to get herself over that fence, FReeZACentral and the mentors are there to give the boost, and along with sage advice comes the added bonus of recording and releasing a CD.
Which brings us to Naked in the Woods 2, a follow up to last year’s female led compilation that saw mentors and mentees alike sharing the space of a compilation to great (and successful) effect. Compilations like these are an invaluable source for the new artists and listeners alike. For the former, it’s a platform to sit alongside those well-known in the industry and have their material heard. For the latter, it’s one fine way of discovering new talents.
Finding something new isn’t solely to do with the mentees, though, and even if there are four previous ARIA Award winning females on this disc, there’s always the chance you’ll find something you’ve missed along the way.
Like the first of these compilations, Naked in the Woods 2 is a collection of female only artists, chosen from over a vast array of styles and genres. For the most part, the styles on the record as a whole work well together, with pop and folk appearing as the dominant genres of these Australian songstresses.
From the mentors team, there is a great and varied selection, starting with the new works of Clare Bowditch (‘The Start of War’), a track that demonstrates a big shift in musicality from her earlier material; all the way through to Angie Hart (‘Loving Hating It’), a beautiful number with an effective a capella intro; and the iconic Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, who have selected 2004’s ‘Something’s Right’ – a bittersweet country-tinged tune.
The mentees mostly slot in seamlessly. Tracks from M.C.K. and Tyla Bertolli do manage to step away from the dominant “laid back” appeal of the record providing some R’n’B to the mix. Whilst it’s good to hear variation, the placement of these tracks is a little odd, and club beats off the back of peaceful soul, or rapping (Bertolli invited a boy to the party) before country acoustic aren’t things that will sit right for some.
18 year old Izzy provides another positive addition with her piano led ballad, ‘A Legacy’ – she sounds well beyond her age and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her do big things in years to come. Finalising things is Jessie Upton with ‘Understand’, a track which again veers away, only this time into a jazz tune that sounds suited to a stage show; a subtle, though positive way to finish off a fine compilation of female talent.
Naked in the Woods 2 is an opportunity for the listener. It’s a chance to hear voices you wouldn’t otherwise hear and open up even more opportunities to the talents that deserve them. If you enjoy local music and you’re open to new things, get your hands on a copy of this – it’ll be attached to the October issue of jmag.
